Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: A-F, 1949-1971. A-71, folder 591. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Sct Library

Mr. Cross was my attorney in the Van Waters case the transcript of which is in Radclifee Archive Library

M. V. W

Miriam Van Waters 14 Clark Street Framingham, Mass 01701

May 29, 1971

Dear Miriam,

thank you for such a nice letter. I feel depressed more often now than I did befor, for what reason, well I really can't say: I guess it being locked up so long in segregation hear at 10 block D. S. U - I try to write letters but I find it hard to keep my mind on what Im trying to say. I always think about the atmosphere that surrounds this place and I can't help feeling neglected in some sort of way. I hardly receive any mail anymore; just from you or my attorney Max Stern, maby its just that I am finely seeing things as they are. People (some) seem to forget that a person even exists when they locked

(2)

up like that. Its not that Im feeling sorry for myself or anything, its just that I can't keep fooling myself about things that are actually reality. Ive been incarcerated in jail now for 5 years, I haven't been out since 1967, March. And I have about 2 1/2 maby 3 years left to do. I pray things work out for me and I receive no more time for anything. I really want to get out and do something for a chance, something nice. Maby I'll find a way to help convicts in prison with different programm. I dont know really its still a long way off and there is a lot that could happen betwen now and then. I want so badly to go home, I try to be good I really try hard but it seems the

[writing continued on right hand side of paper]

(3)

harder you try to do things there is allways something getting in the way or just trying to put a stop to it. Like just now I had to be interrupted writing this letter to get up for the supper count and suppose I didn't take a tray of food, I don't feel hungry, but Miriam Im truly staring - for my freedom, I want to eat when Im hungry, I want to sleep when I tired and I want to live like I want to live: in freedom and peace. I can't do these things hear, I cant live hear! But I wont die hear either. Ill be free again and Ill be happy and alive again...someday, someday soon.. I seen my step Father last month, he tells me the family is doing well and that Paul and Julie are fine. I

(4)

wish Paul would write me and let my know how he is and all. I wrote him 3 letters and I haven't heard from him yet. Well, I guess he is busy out there with his family and all I know he will write me sooner or later. My Mother is doing well from what my step Father tells me. She is a wonder mother Miriam, she really tries to understand me and my ways. She writes every now and then, but sometimes she tells me she really doesn't know what to say. Its been so long since we saw each other, I can understand her feelings and thats why I love her because she knows I understand and is happy, so that makes me happy.

As far as court goes the case went

(5)

be coming up till around the fall. It seems so far away, but so doesn't tomorrow! I pray your health is in the best way and is being cared for as it should. Im in good health for this type of environment is considered. I could be in better shape. My mind is running sharp lately and I see things I never could see befor in my closed up life. All I do is read and think; think about life and just how mixed up it all really is. Everybody seems to be out for their own personal gains and strive for their goals wich out concern about who or what they step on. Especially there seems to be a kind of disrespect for other human life - no matter what the position on the ladder